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Sunny weather will draw in the crowds for the Kent County Show's last day

One of the county’s biggest summer events, the Kent County Show, has enjoyed fantastic weather this year.

And a bumper crowd of visitors were expected again at today's final day of the three-day show thanks to another warm and sunny day.

Although there were traffic delays and problems for drivers getting to the show on Friday following a major overnight lorry smash on the M20, show organisers are hoping this year's event will create an attendance of around 80,000 visitors overall.

Titan the Robot entertains the crowds at the County Show
Titan the Robot entertains the crowds at the County Show

All creatures great and small have come together from prize-winning poultry to dinosaurs and crowd-pleasing robots at the County Showground at Detling for the show, which opened on Friday.

As it drew to a close today, the event was rounded off with a grand parade of prize-winning livestock, led by the farmers whose hard work had made it all possible.

More than 300 different activities, displays and competitions were packed into the show which blends the county’s proud agricultural heritage with the latest in farming, produce and entertainment.

There were fairground rides, floral displays and brass bands with new attractions, including, for the first time, Dexter, a two-year-old baby Tyrannosaurus – a 4m-long life-like, part animatronic dinosaur.

Anyone for Pimm's?
Anyone for Pimm's?

Dexter brought his handler, who was on hand to keep the noisy dino in check and visitors were also be able to visit the Dinosaur Nursery, and see a newborn Tyrannosaurus, a baby Triceratops, and a baby Stegosaurus.

The Shetland Pony Grand National featured young riders competing in the main Astor Ring on all three days with young jockeys riding their noble, but pint-sized, ponies for the chance to take part in the Shetland Pony Grand National at the Olympia Horse Show later in the year.

In a less conventional race, Red Ram, Woolly Jumper and Ed Shearan were just a few of the competitors in the Lamb National, which saw Herdwick Sheep going head-to-head over hurdles.

There were also food and drink producers offering a taste of what the county has to offer and live music, from traditional brass bands to local singing groups, plus flowers and fruit.

The Lamb National in full swing
The Lamb National in full swing

Show manager Lucy Hegarty said: “Each year we try to organise a variety of displays and entertainment. Our job is to balance the more traditional displays alongside some new, unique and contemporary entertainment. This year we have tried to vary the entertainment highlights and give visitors something a little bit different.”

Always able to pull a crowd, Titan the robot entertained the troops each day.

This year saw the highest number of cattle and sheep entries for five years, with 422 sheep entries, 393 cattle entries and 82 goat entries, with even the number of fleeces in the wool competition being boosted by 10%.

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